Punjab tops chart in clearing medical negligence cases

Pune: Punjab topped the charts in delivering judgement in cases of medical negligence slapped either against doctor or hospital last year with 24%.

West Bengal, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu followed with 17%, 16% and 11%, respectively. The figures were announced at the 8th annual medico-legal review for 2015, held here on Friday. The event is held consecutively since 2009 by Institute of Medicine and Law (IML).

The need for inclusion of doctor-judges in the panels dealing with cases of medical-legal matters was also underlined at the review meet. The need was expressed both by experts from medical and legal fraternities while discussing various aspects of legal complications involved in medical treatments, particularly those with medical negligence or faulty medical events occurring during treatment regimes.

"At many occasions, judges are in a fix due to limited knowledge about medicine and related issues, thereby sometime delaying in awarding judgement. There is a need of a doctor to advise the legal team in order to handle these cases better," said senior Supreme Court lawyer and director of Institute of Medicine and Law (IML), Mahendrakumar Bajpai.

When asked about having a doctor on the panel, an official on the condition of anonymity said the Medical Council of India (MCI) fails to do its duties in addressing these legal cases.

" The MCI comprises doctors and other experts from the medical fraternity who are well aware and understand the cases better. Sadly,due to their callousness, the body is as good as as being toothless in this matter," the official complained.

Among the several reasons that the patients file complaints, the key ones included medical negligence by doctors, delay in initiating treatments, charging exorbitant medical fee and lack of communication between the hospital and patient's family about the treatment, medical fees among others.

Speaking on the occasion, chief cardiologist and managing trustee of Ruby Hall Clinic P K Grant, said, " It is true that there is lack of communication between the hospital, doctors, paramedical team and the patient and family. This needs to be increased."